The Age of the Dragon 4: On Silver Wings

Chapter 2

After a day of flying, Fallyn decided to contact Eragon himself, rather than wait until she arrived - it had occurred to both herself and Fang that as Fang was a black dragon, it would be too easy for the Varden to mistake them for Galbatorix and thus create unnecessary problems.

Of course, after attempting to contact him and failing, she opted to speak with Arya instead.

By communicating through a mirror in Nasuada's possession. Nasuada's startled face when she saw Fallyn brought a smile to the elf's face.

"Aneth ara, da'len," she smiled. "You look dreadful."

"Fallyn! How... I had heard you were dead!" Nasuada blinked rapidly. "Where have you been all this time? Where are you now? We could use your help, you know!"

"I've been to many places," Fallyn smiled. "Perhaps when all is done, I'll tell you my tale. For now, however, I am on my way to you - and I thought it wise to warn you of my arrival. I would speak with Eragon or Arya as well. I wasn't able to get in touch with Eragon, so I am somewhat concerned."

"I suspect he is resting, after the long work he has been forced to deal with lately," Nasuada said. She paused, ordering a page to go find Arya. "I suspect you have heard of the loss the elves have suffered?"

"I sang the dirge myself," Fallyn's smile faltered. "It is a terrible loss - Oromis was always kind to me."

"I'm sorry for your loss," Nasuada said. "He sounds like a wonderful man."

Fallyn inclined her head, and it was after a few minutes of idle chat, that Arya appeared.

"Fallyn! I had heard you left Ellesmera, but little else. Are you well?" she looked anxious.

"We are," Fallyn smiled. "And we are heading towards the Varden - we have grown tired of hiding like rabbits."

"We?" Nasuada looked confused.

"Aye," Fallyn smiled wider. "We."

With that, Fang swung her head around, so that the black dragon's head could be seen behind her, a single red eye fixed on the two in the mirror.

Nasuada breathed out a startled oath, her eyes wide with wonder, while Arya greeted Fang with a gentle motion.

A rumble from Fang marked her own greeting.

"I see now, why you thought you'd need to warn us of your arrival," Nasuada said. "I had known your dragon had been black, I just didn't know she was still among us."

"There is more that I would share with you, but for now Fang and I would begin our work," Fallyn said. "The sooner we bring down Galbatorix, the sooner my oaths will be fulfilled."

"Oaths?" Nasuada frowned.

"Trouble brews in Thedas," Fallyn said. "I have watched the signs, and I fear another Blight is on the horizon. Mother often feared the possibility of the Blight reaching Alagaesia. With her gone, it now falls to me to watch and guard against it."

"In that case," Nasuada said. "I will have new orders sent to Aroughs - where I hope you might help Roran Stronghammer break the siege there."

Fang growled, rolling her shoulders in eager anticipation. Fallyn smiled over at the dragon then looked back.

"I take it, it has not been going well?"

"No," Nasuada sighed. "It has not. I've been considering sending Eragon and Saphira, but that would have left us vulnerable to Murtagh and Thorn."

"Ah," Fallyn chuckled. "I suppose if I had continued to play our game of cat-and-mouse, you might have been able to do so without fear."

"Pardon?"

"You are the reason we have seen no sign of Murtagh and Thorn?" Arya blinked.

Fallyn nodded. "Since the fall of Oromis and Glaedr, Fang and I have been carefully distracting them by appearing over various villages - alone. An easy target, don't you think?"

"But Eragon and Saphira were barely able to deal with them alone," Nasuada pointed out. "How have you managed?"

"Isana," Fallyn answered. "Its song is... soothing... to those sensitive to it. Murtagh's power was thusly stripped from him, leaving it down to who had the greater experience, where Fang and I excelled."

"I see," Arya said.

"This... Isana," Nasuada pressed, "could it be used by others? Like Eragon and Saphira?"

"Not safely, no," Fallyn shook her head. "They already know of it, and the plan is for me to rejoin them as soon as possible so that its effects will help them defeat Galbatorix."

"And... this won't adversely affect Eragon and his... strength?" Arya said delicately.

"I have spells that should protect him," Fallyn nodded. "So I will be making my way to Aroughs, will I? Roran Stronghammer shall be the one in charge?"

"Aye," Nasuada said. "I will send word ahead immediately, but how will my people know you differently from Galbatorix?"

Fallyn smiled. "Nasuada, how do you think I gained the name "Stormrider" to begin with?"

Nasuada smiled and shook her head. "Safe travels, my friend. I look forward to meeting Fang in person and seeing you again."

"Dareth shiral, da'len," Fallyn smiled.

With that, she ended the spell and turned to the dragon.

"So we shall be commanded by a human?" Fang sounded amused.

"He must be worthy, if Nasuada trusts our debut in the Varden to him," Fallyn swung into the saddle and strapped herself in. "But at least you'll have your chance at battle. A siege no less!"

Fang's tail whipped through the air, flattening a few trees before she leapt into the air. A puff of fire burst from her mouth as she gave a slight roar of excitement.

"Let us not linger then!"